Underwater coral cutting saw

[jporter]

Just wondering is anyone here has ever modified a small submersible pump to use as an underwater coral cutting tool. Something like replacing the prop with a small round saw or some type of cutting tool. Could be handy when trying to cut off a small piece of live rock with an unwanted coral on it, or when bone cutters are just too small. I'm thinking a small underwater pump could become something like an underwater dremel tool. Please post any pictures if you've done this or if something is already in the market place. JP

 

[Jade5051]

I'm doubt if any of the pumps we use in aquariums would have enough torque to be able to dremel something. Maybe a big mag drive. It's hard to say.

 

[wild1]

IF there is, using it would surely kick up a sand storm & everything else in the tank. Probably not do able

 

[chimmike]

the type of control you'd need is not something you could get by modding a mag drive to use a circular blade.

the coral cutting band saws I've seen are your best bet for safe control. Cut fast!

 

[jporter]

the type of control you'd need is not something you could get by modding a mag drive to use a circular blade.

the coral cutting band saws I've seen are your best bet for safe control. Cut fast!

Agreed as long as you can remove the coral from the tank. I am talking more for bigger rocks and corals that can't be removed from the water column.

 

[jporter]

the type of control you'd need is not something you could get by modding a mag drive to use a circular blade.

the coral cutting band saws I've seen are your best bet for safe control. Cut fast!

Don't necessarily mean to use a mag drive or aquarium motor, just mentioned it due to it's ability to be underwater. I've always wondered why a dentist type drill with a blade wasn't available for underwater cutting.

 

[BlackTip]

Too risky. One misstep and the glass would shatter.

 

[davocean]

There are tools out there for cutting or working underwater, but they are not cheap, and I agree one slip and you are hosed big time, and probably wet.

https://www.nemopowertools.com/en/

 

[jporter]

There are tools out there for cutting or working underwater, but they are not cheap, and I agree one slip and you are hosed big time, and probably wet.

https://www.nemopowertools.com/en/

Thanks for the link. That's pretty cool.

 

[Gorgok]

Related to the above link, silly tools. Warning, contains (some) profanity (at the end)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4if9RUkWKmI

But that is fresh water not salt, and the drill not being sealed means we could expose tanks to heavy metals, like copper, just sticking it in...


As long as you have vertical access i would suggest extensions on the drill over sticking any tool in the water. Perforate the seam you want to break and give it a whack.

 

[davocean]

Yeah I'm certainly not running out and buying nemo tools, just thought it was funny like your link mentioned stuff like this comes out and everyone sends it my way, tied in w/ OP's question.
Personally I have used my dremel to cut things in tank, mainly my acrylic rod holders, I usually let them run wild at top and when I find a good cap rock I cut the excess.
So my advice and tip towards this;
Drain your tank into a brute can, cut, pump water back in, this is what I do, takes about 10 minutes if that and perfectly harmless.
My only concern is something flying off into glass, so I cover w/ cardboard or something.

 

[Bagabaga]

My dremel tool has an extension piece that has no electrical parts and can extend the cutter 20" from the tool. Only problem would be the grease inside leaching into the water and harming something. But if you could degrease it and use it only underwater for lubrication purposes I don't see how it would be a problem. It acts like a drain snake inside a plastic tube. Some extensions may even be used with a more powerful drill than a dremel for more underwater torque. not downplaying dremel torque though just as a precaution.

 

[davocean]

I have that same dremel, only thing is even if you did remove all grease that extension will be junk after one use in SW unless you completely broke it apart and cleaned it and put it back.
One thing I do is make sure I have vessels enough to hold water, brutes are best.
People often do not think about how easy and fast it can be to drain water and pump back in.
Most of our reef corals and rocks are exposed half a day or more sometimes at low tides, 10 minutes or even half an hour is nothing(w/ the exception of sponges hitting air)
Really it's the safest way for afterthought redo's or even chasing that very hard to catch fish.
I have a cheapo pump I use to mix SW, same one I use to pump WC water in, pretty simple really.

 

[Indymann99]

pneumatic underwater hacksaw...

http://www.csunitec.com/saws/airhack.html?PHPSESSID=8df4ae2741958ac8cf965d687c5a1f8d

 

[chimmike]

Most of our reef corals and rocks are exposed half a day or more sometimes at low tides, 10 minutes or even half an hour is nothing(w/ the exception of sponges hitting air)

These reefs really are NOT exposed like that. These are shallow reefs, but they're not within the tidal zone that allows them to get exposed. Especially not SPS/LPS that I know of.

maybe some gorgs? Doubtful. I've seen plenty of near-shore reefs in FL that are exposed at low tide and they don't house anything but maybe brain coral.

 

[davocean]

These reefs really are NOT exposed like that. These are shallow reefs, but they're not within the tidal zone that allows them to get exposed. Especially not SPS/LPS that I know of.

maybe some gorgs? Doubtful. I've seen plenty of near-shore reefs in FL that are exposed at low tide and they don't house anything but maybe brain coral.

There's a world of images and video if you search, but here's just a few, Malaysia and Australia.
There was a member here that not long ago posted HUGE sections of reef in Australia that were exposed a good part of the day on severe low tides.
These are just a few images showing otherwise to your comment.

 

[davocean]

Here's the thread I mentioned, might want to give it a read.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1529412

 

[Ron Reefman]

I have that same dremel, only thing is even if you did remove all grease that extension will be junk after one use in SW unless you completely broke it apart and cleaned it and put it back.

That is not the case. I have a dremel with the extension because I had an 18" diameter hollywood stunner I couldn't get out of the tank without lots of other equipment removal and coral damage. And just to be sure we are clear, only the extension and the cutting wheel go in the water.:fun4:

As to the grease... does it spray all over when you use the extension out in the air? No? Then why would it be an issue in the tank. I tested first in fresh water and then in salt water before I used it in the tank. It worked just fine.

As for cleaning it up, I took the extension and soaked it in fresh water and did several water changes (to the fresh water soak, not the tank). LOL! After that I sprayed a bit of silicone on the ends, wiped it down really well and blew hot air with a hair dryer to completely dry it out. I've only needed it a couple of times, but it still works just fine and shows no sign of rust.

 

[davocean]

If you read the comment that I was answering to you would see it was someone else mentioning grease, I just touched on that, but not to mention the fact there may be other contaminants besides that.
So afterwards you sprayed w/ silicone to prevent from rusting, which probably did not stop all parts from rusting, and now you have that to contend with if you plan to use it in tank again.
Maybe it worked for you in a pinch a time or two but it's hardly practical for continued use.
I would not put that in my tank, but do as you wish to yours

 

[Bagabaga]

This seems to be turning into a really aggressive thread. I did mention grease but that was nuance. If you had it work then I'm happy to hear it. I haven't taken my extension apart to check the level of grease so I have no ground to stand on. Also great job on inhibiting rust. How did the chalice cut go? Do you have any pictures or video to share?